Long Grove’s chocolate fest is returning on a “bite size” scale this year.
The Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association traditionally presents the Long Grove Chocolate Fest. This year, it’s being replaced by For the Love of Chocolate: Long Grove’s Bite-Size Celebration May 14-16. This chocolate-themed event complies with COVID safety measures and health guidelines while still celebrating all things chocolate, said Terri Taylor, co-owner of Ma and Pa’s Candy and marketing chairwoman for the event.
That includes limited ticket sales, required preregistration, vendor booths placed six feet apart, social distancing markers, masks required, 25% capacity and only prepackaged food and samples available.
“This is one of our first attempts where we will have a larger group of people together but it’s still falling within the restrictions,” she said. “We’ve been doing smaller things since the fall … and even with all the restrictions we had to put into place and the time slots and cleaning and all the things we had to do, people were still very eager to come into town and come visit our businesses. So we’re excited about trying to put something together that would give people an opportunity to come to town and enjoy something chocolate during that same weekend but still will look very different from what a typical Chocolate Fest would look like.”
The event kicks off with a VIP Chocolate Night from 5-7 p.m. May 14. Tickets to the event cost $45. Ticket holders will get a sneak peek at the festival as well as receive swag bags and enjoy live music and a Chocolate Bar where they can purchase chocolate-infused drinks.
The Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association has scaled the event way back from previous Chocolate Fests but still hopes to entertain and educate festgoers. There will be chocolate demonstrations, live music, opportunities to buy chocolate items and prepackaged samples.
“We have things like a yoga class outside in one of the fields by a certified holistic wellness coach,” she said. “There will be a presentation by a makeup artist who will be teaching how to use the chocolate palette of tones for doing makeup.
“There is a presentation about the pairings of chocolate and wine. The people who are running that own a local wine bar in town, so people will be able to visit them afterward. There are all kinds of interesting things — some tempering chocolates and creating chocolate barks, a mixologist will teach how to make different types of alcoholic beverages using all kinds of interesting ingredients.”
Each one of those 30-minute classes held in the Chocolate Expo Tent requires an additional fee and ticket, she said.
“We’re trying to add something different and new and really be immersive in chocolates,” she said.
Brothers’ Field will hold the Chocolate Experience Tent, Chocolate Expo Tent, Hay Wagon Stage and Kids Area. The entertainment stage there will hold the family and kids’ acts, she said. Magicians, musicians and balloon artists will entertain and pony rides and a little miniature golf course will be set up for the kids.
The Chocolate Experience Tent is where you can find Wisconsin chocolate sculptor Bret Huisman, who will be carving new chocolate creations each day. Taylor and her husband Jeff will be showcasing their new cotton candy cart. They will show people how they spin chocolate cotton candy.
The 400 block of Robert Parker Coffin Road, from Old McHenry to the historic Covered Bridge, will house the main stage and Chocolate Vendor Row.
That’s where you’ll find vendors like Morkes Chocolates of Long Grove/Broken Bridge Treats, The Pink Cupcake Creations, Salt of the Earth, St. Roger Abbey, Ultimate Confections, Wishing Well Mini Donuts and Zacarelli’s.
“There will be a bunch of different places selling baked goods, brownies, chocolate-scented candles — everything has to be focused on chocolate items,” she said. “Chocolate facial scrubs, doughnuts and chocolate covered funnel cakes and some unique fun things from a variety of local vendors.”
There will be multiple stages for live music and entertainment throughout the festival. The band Hello Dave will headline the event at 4 p.m. May 16 at the main stage.
Taylor thinks people will be excited to attend For the Love of Chocolate.
“We are a unique little town. People love coming to our events; it’s what we’re known for,” she said. “It’s going to be safe. It gives people an opportunity to come into town and see our businesses. It’s sort of a kickoff to late spring and summer and the end of the school year. It’s a great time to come and see us.”
For the Love of Chocolate: Long Grove’s Bite-Size Celebration
When: 5-7 p.m. May 14 and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 15-16
Where: Historic downtown Long Grove
Tickets: $20 for a daily ticket or $35 for a two-day pass
Information: longgrove.org/festivals/for-the-love-of-chocolate
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
